Canada wins women's rugby sevens bronze at Universiade

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The Canadian Press8/13/2013 11:56:27 PM

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KAZAN, Russia -- Canada won bronze in women's rugby sevens Wednesday on the final day of the 27th World University Games.

Edmonton's Chelsea Guthrie scored her seventh try of the tournament in the first half as Canada cruised to a 36-0 win over Great Britain in the bronze-medal game as women's sevens rugby made its Universiade debut.

Natasha Watcham-Roy of Gatineau, Que., scored a try just 1:47 in and Jean Baker of Argyle Shore, P.E.I., also scored early as Canada took a 19-0 lead into halftime.

"We got the start we wanted, we wanted to get up early and put them under a bit of pressure. It's always tough to come back in these medal games," said head coach Matt Parrish.

Canada finished with 16 medals (two gold, five silver and nine bronze) and ended the Games tied for 15th place in the overall standings.

In other Canadian action on Day 13, the men's rugby sevens squad dropped a 26-12 decision to Georgia in the ninth-place match.

In the 10-kilometre open water swimming events, Jade Dusablon of Quebec City and Heather Maitland of Toronto finished eighth and 14th, respectively, in the women's race. On the men's side, Aimeson Sparks-King of Toronto and Xavier Desharnais of Sherbrooke, Que., were 17th and 18th.

Canada sent a record delegation of 440 to Kazan, including 308 student-athletes. Over 11,000 athletes from 163 countries competed.

"We're really proud of our athletes, coaches, and the entire delegation," said chef de mission Theresa Hanson. "We feel like we could have won a few more medals but overall, our results were very solid. The level of competition at this FISU Games was exceptional, probably the best ever. It sure was nice to finish with a podium today."

Canada's two gold medals in Kazan came from sprinter Kimberly Hyacinthe of Terrebonne, Que., who won the women's 200 metres, and swimmer Katerine Savard of Pont-Rouge, Que., who set a Universiade record in the women's 100 butterfly.